Susan Alcorn MacKay, director of the Northern Ontario Assessment and Resource Centre based at Cambrian College, is the co-author of a new report released June 14 that offers a roadmap to success for post-secondary students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The report, titled Identifying Trends and Supports for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning Into Postsecondary, was commissioned by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) to identify challenges to student success and to generate recommendations for post-secondary institutions.
According to the report, there were 5,800 students with ASD in the Ontario secondary school system in 2009, and it is estimated that 1,100 of these students will enter post-secondary school by 2011.
This poses a challenge and an opportunity for post-secondary institutions, many of which do not have the systems in place to effectively support these students, stated a press release from Cambrian College.
The three main recommendations in the report are:
- Human resources
- Deliver relevant professional development to existing staff and, where required, hire additional staff trained in meeting the needs of students with ASD.
- Institutional space
- Create a dedicated area in the institution that can be considered a “safe space” for students with ASD.
- Research
- Continue research on the supports and services required by post-secondary students with ASD and bring forward to funding agencies and HEQCO for consideration.
“Students with ASD have the potential to complete a college or university program and to pursue a successful career when provided with the appropriate supports,”Alcorn MacKay said, in a press release.
“As an increasing number of these learners pursue post-secondary education, it is important that institutions have the training and support to provide these students with the best possible foundation for success.”
Alcorn MacKay is also Director of The Glenn Crombie Centre for disability services at Cambrian College and is actively involved in the implementation of all recommendations at the College.
“Cambrian is committed to the success of each student, and through The Glenn Crombie Centre, the College has become a leader in providing a high quality educational experience to post-secondary students who have disabilities,” Sylvia Barnard, Cambrian's president, said.
“I support the findings of this report and look forward to the opportunities it will bring for all students at Cambrian and across the college system.”
To view the report, visit www.heqco.ca.
